Barnes won’t return as Ole Miss coach

Oxford, MS (Sports Network) – Ole Miss announced on Friday that head men’s
basketball coach Rod Barnes won’t return to the team next season.

Barnes, who has served as the head coach for the last eight years, will be
removed after the team plays LSU on Saturday and completes the SEC Tournament
next week, unless the squad advances to a postseason tourney.

“Rod Barnes has been a very positive and important part of Ole Miss basketball
history throughout his playing and coaching career,” athletic director Pete
Boone said. “He has always represented the University with the utmost class
and integrity. Because Rod means so much to the Ole Miss family, this was a
difficult decision. However, due to our lack of success in the Southeastern
Conference, I felt a change needed to be made.”

Boone didn’t say if Barnes was let go or if he resigned.

The Rebels began the season 13-3, but have lost 11 of 12 since. That includes
a 4-11 mark in the SEC, the fourth straight year Ole Miss hasn’t won more than
five regular-season SEC games.

During his eight years at the helm of the Rebel basketball program, Barnes has
risen to second on the Ole Miss career list for coaching victories, four
behind B.L. “Country” Graham’s school record of 145.

Barnes has a 141-107 record as Rebel head coach and a 50-77 mark in SEC play.